ENGLAND should be ‘pinching themselves’ at having Jude Bellingham to spearhead the charge for Euros glory.
The Champions League-winning midfielder can also handle the hype as our biggest star — says his Real Madrid team-mate Toni Kroos.
GettyToni Kroos has got to see the talents of Jude Bellingham first-hand at Real Madrid[/caption]
GettyHe says he have to ‘pinch yourself’ that he’s only 20[/caption]
Pressure on Bellingham’s young shoulders has gone through the roof after poor performances in the last two warm-up games — which he missed.
Kroos said: “I have been privileged to play alongside Jude Bellingham for the last 12 months and you have to pinch yourself that he is only 20. Off the pitch he is even more mature.
“There are not many players like this around — it’s a compliment to him that so many English hopes rest on him.
“At Real Madrid in the last few weeks, he turned out to be a decisive player.
“But even from the start I didn’t think he had any problems withstanding all the expectations.”
England lost 1-0 to Iceland on Friday and now have just days to get it right before their opening Group C game against Serbia on Sunday.
Bellingham has been rested after winning the European crown with Madrid on June 1.
He will be at the heart of England’s campaign and his return will lift the team after sluggish displays.
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Kroos said: “Jude Bellingham is a very physical guy with the overall package he has to offer.
“He is also the kind of player who can withstand pressure. He has the right personality.
“He seems to be the right kind of lad. He can play to the best of his ability.
“I hope he will be a decisive player for England.”
Bellingham is a huge admirer of experienced Kroos and complained that only one season together in Spain was not enough.
The hugely decorated midfielder is retiring after this summer’s tournament and is also under pressure to deliver for his country.
Germany have not won a knockout match for eight years and need a successful start to win over home fans.
And 109-cap Kroos, coming out of international retirement for the competition, could not resist a joke at his own country when talking about his kids, who will be watching Friday’s opener against Scotland.
Gareth Southgate will take the handbrake off at Euro 2024… because he has no choice
By Charlie Wyett
GARETH SOUTHGATE will have no choice but to take the handbrake off his England team at Euro 2024.
The defensive crisis gripping the Three Lions means the only option in Germany, within reason, will be outright attack.
Southgate has often been lambasted for his safety-first approach — even if he points out you must go back to Walter Winterbottom’s sides in the 1950s to find an England manager with a better scoring record.
But with the crocked Harry Maguire left out, Luke Shaw not fit enough to start the tournament and John Stones having made just 12 Premier League starts this season, this is not a defence you would stake your life on.
The last time England went to a major tournament in Germany — the 2006 World Cup — the four centre-backs selected were Sol Campbell (68 caps), Rio Ferdinand (47), Jamie Carragher (25) and John Terry (24).
This time, when England fly out on Monday, the quartet will be Lewis Dunk (six), Joe Gomez (14), Marc Guehi (ten) and Ezri Konsa (three).
It makes Southgate’s decision not to recall the 49-cap Eric Dier for his provisional squad even stranger — especially considering his strong end to the season with Bayern Munich.
The elder statesman in his defence — and the one who absolutely has to stay fit — is 71-cap Stones.
Kroos, 34, said: “They are used to success.
“That means they have not seen much of the national team in the last few years!
“They expect us to win the title. They won’t accept anything else.
“Generally, pressure is on at every tournament but, this being a home tournament, you get direct feedback at your front door — negatively and positively speaking.
“We feel a major responsibility. We know what is at stake — but it is not just a burden, it’s an honour.”
